Where he saith, that he chose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of god, by that member he yet better signifies unto us […] ⟨p. 274⟩but he was far off from seeing God such as he was indeed. The Apostle therefore meaneth that Moses was no less emboldened, than if being ravished up into heaven he had set God only before his eyes: or as having nothing to do with men, neither being subject unto the perils of this present life, he went on manfully as if he had not been to fight with Pharaoh. Yet notwithstanding, it is very certain, that he was sometimes covered ou•r with so many difficulties, as they made him think in his mind that God was far off from him: or at the least, that the obstinacy of the king furnished with so many helps to resist, 1should overcome him in the end. To be short, God did show himself in such wise to Moses sight, as yet in the mean while he left place for faith: but Moses being environed on every side with all those fears which pressed upon him at his heels, yet turned his mind, and all his senses to God. True it is, that this vision whereof we have spoken did greatly aide him to this business: but yet he saw more in God, than the sight of this visible sign could help him unto. For he apprehended his power, which was sufficient to swallow up all fears and dangers. For resting himself upon the promise, he held it for certain that the people were already Lords of the promised land, 2howsoever they were now oppressed under the tyranny of the Egyptians. From hence we gather, first, §1that it is the true nature of faith to set God always before our eyes. §2Secondly, that faith regardeth things more high, and hidden in God, than those which our senses are able to comprehend. §3Thirdly, that the only beholding of God is sufficient to correct our tenderness, and to make us to be more hard then stones or iron to beat back all the assaults of Satan. Whence it follows, that by how much the more a man is delicate and effeminate, so much the less is his faith.
Where he saith, that he chose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of god, by that mēber he yet better signifies vnto vs 〈…〉 ⟨p. 274⟩but he was farre off from seeing God such as he was indeed. The Apostle therefore meaneth that Moses was no lesse imboldened, than if beeing rauished vp into heauen he had set God onely before his eies: or as hauing nothing to doe with men, neither beeing subiect vnto the perils of this present life, he went on manfully as if hee had not beene to fight with Pharaoh. Yet notwithstanding, it is very certaine, that he was sometimes couered ou•r with so many difficulties, as they made him thinke in his minde that God was farre off from him: or at the least, that the obstinacie of the king furnished with so many helps to resist, 1should ouercome him in the ende. To be short, God did shewe himselfe in such wise to Moses sight, as yet in the meane while hee left place for faith: but Moses beeing enuironed on euery side with all those feares which pressed vpon him at his heeles, yet turned his minde, and all his senses to God. True it is, that this vision wherof we haue spoken did greatly aide him to this businesse: but yet he saw more in God, than the sight of this visible signe could helpe him vnto. For he apprehended his power, which was sufficient to swallow vp al feares and dangers. For resting himselfe vpon the promise, he held it for certaine that the people were already Lords of the promised land, 2howsoeuer they were now oppressed vnder the tyrannie of the Egyptians. From hence we gather, first, §1that it is the true nature of faith to set God alwaies before our eies. §2Secondly, that faith regardeth things more high, and hidden in God, than those which our senses are able to comprehend. §3Thirdly, that the onely beholding of God is sufficient to correct our tendernesse, and to make vs to be more hard then stones or iron to beate backe all the assaults of Satan. Whence it followes, that by how much the more a man is delicate and effeminate, so much the lesse is his faith.
- 1Moses faith was often mingled with the infirmities of the flesh.Moses faith vvas often mingled with the infirmities of the flesh.
- 2The nature of faith described.
